I just used my last 100 WLR primers and was contemplating switching to CCI 200 b/c nobody locally carries WLR. Powder Valley is even sold out of them right now.

Should I see any noticable difference in loads? I don't want to start the reloading process all over again for the 3 rifles using WLR right now.

i doubt very much if you'll see any difference

WLR is a much hotter primer than a CCI 200. Give them a try and see what happens.

I thought the CCI was hotter. Guess I was wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by jb177:
I thought the CCI was hotter. Guess I was wrong.

My understanding is that the Winchester is a slightly (not greatly) hotter primer than the CCI.

I think you can switch from Winchester to CCI primers with no noticable difference.

quote:

Originally posted by jb177:
I thought the CCI was hotter. Guess I was wrong.

I recall reading an article a few months back where somebody tested most of the common brands of primers. IIRC, Winchester was considerably hotter and there was a fairly large difference in chamber pressures when changing from one primer to another. Seems to me, Win. Mag. Rifle were the hottest of the bunch and CCI Large Rifle (200s) were about the coolest. Now you've got me thinking, and I probably won't rest until I find that magazine!

I've used CCI for a long time with no problems, but if I was to change primers I'd back off and work my way up again.

Do it and don't worry.

Thanks for setting me straight on that. I think the hotter primer is probably good since I use them in 300wsm as well.

You'll notice very little difference in performance, and the accuracy advantage (doubtful, but possible) might go to the slightly "cooler" CCI 200. Average velocities might change as much as 20 fps (likely less), but still within the range of shot-to-shot variations.

The biggest difference you'll see is likely to be in seating effort. The unplated WLR has a smaller effective diameter than the plated CCI. The CCI will seat with more resistance. Once CCI (or other plated primers) have been used in a case, the fit with WLR's is so loose as to give me some pause. I reserve the use of my supply of WLR's for new, tight-pocketed cases.

I am on my last pack of 100 the older WSR primers and have since re-supplies with the latest WSR. My old primers are silver and the newer production one are brass. The jury is out on the new stuff.

This is the closest comparison between WLR and CCI primers that I have. Mind you I was shooting CCI#34 primers and they are advertized as a magnum primer. As you can see, it took a half grain more powder with the CCI primers to get close to the WLR velocities.

In my opinion, loads developed with WLR primers will be safe with CCI.

I can also say that I do not like the new “brass†finish Winchester primers. They pierce at loads that the old nickel plate primers would stay intact. I have purchased the last brass WSR because I am tired of changing AR15 firing pins. As for velocities, I have not noticed any significant difference over the screens between the nickel and brass Winchester primers.


30-06, 26†1:10 Wilson Barrel.


168 gr Sierra Match 47.0 AA2495 weighed R-P cases CCI 34 OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T=82°F

Ave Vel = 2720
Std Dev = 4
ES = 12
Low = 2713
High = 2725
N = 10


168 gr Sierra Match 47.5 AA2495 wtd R-P cases CCI 34 OAL 3.30"
5 May 00 T=82°F

Ave Vel = 2745
Std Dev = 9
ES = 28
Low = 2728
High = 2756
N = 10

168 gr Sierra Match 47.0 AA2495 wtd F-C cases WLR OAL 3.30"

5 May 00 T=82°F
Ave Vel = 2765
Std Dev = 10
ES = 30
Low = 2745
High = 2775
N = 11